Person: Franco Smith

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

rugby

Formidable back-up cast underlines Leinster strength

THE RDS promises to deliver more than the usual fare tomorrow for a Six Nations down-week.

rugby

Ronan O'Gara's team-by-team Six Nations guide

rugby

Sergio Parisse wants to end Italy career in Rome and not play entire Six Nations

rugby

O’Shea: ‘I really loved it. I’ve left so much behind me’

rugby

Two seasons in one day at Bloemfontein

rugby

Van Graan braced for battle-hardened hosts

Azzurri the focus as O’Shea rules out Munster CEO role

Conor O’Shea has ruled himself out of becoming the new Munster CEO, insisting his focus is on getting Italy ready for the World Cup in Japan.

Fri, 09 Aug, 2019

Munster bid to maintain proud first day tradition

Munster have the best record of the Irish provinces on the opening day of the league and Johann van Graan will be hoping to maintain that when they kick off their PRO14 campaign at home to the Cheetahs today at Thomond Park.

Sat, 01 Sep, 2018

Away form at forefront of van Graan’s seasonal plan

Munster head coach Johann van Graan has plenty of credit in the bank on the eve of the new campaign after steering the province through a difficult transition from the Rassie Erasmus regime midway through 2017-18.

Fri, 31 Aug, 2018

South Africa — not US — focus for PRO14 bosses

Expanding the PRO14 into the United States has been put on the long finger and strengthening the relationship with South Africa rugby is the primary concern, according PRO14 chief executive Martin Anayi.

Tue, 17 Apr, 2018

Ian Keatley kicks a conversion 14/11/2015

A Munster great escape unlikely, but more positive steps must be taken

An unlikely progress to the last eight aside, Munster have plenty of points to prove when they complete their Champions Cup pool campaign at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo today.

Sun, 24 Jan, 2016

Anscombe sees good signs through the gloom

Treviso 3 Ulster 35

Mon, 16 Dec, 2013

Anscombe’s warning

Ulster 48 Benetton Treviso 0

Mon, 09 Dec, 2013

Leinster look to build on fine run

There was obviously a good reason for this RaboDirect Pro12 game to be handed the same kick-off slot as Ireland-New Zealand tomorrow but, for the life of us, it is impossible to think of one.

Sat, 23 Nov, 2013

Zebo and Earls make return for Munster

RABODIRECT PRO 12:

Fri, 20 Sep, 2013

Leinster's O'Connor pleased with opening performance

New Leinster coach Matt O’Connor was quite pleased with his side’s focus on the first round of the Rabo Direct Pro 12.

Mon, 09 Sep, 2013

Five-try Leinster move closer to second place

Leinster 40 Benetton Treviso 5

Sat, 16 Feb, 2013

Tigers squeeze past Treviso

Treviso 13 Leicester 14

Sat, 15 Dec, 2012

Big boys back for Blues in Treviso

Leinster landed at Treviso Airport yesterday and unloaded 12 Irish internationals off the plane, including Brian O’Driscoll, Jonathan Sexton and Cian Healy.

Sat, 15 Sep, 2012

Munster hand Penney first victory

Munster 19 Benetton Treviso 6

Sat, 08 Sep, 2012

Howlett braced for physical Italian front

Benetton Treviso head coach Franco Smith sprang a selection surprise last night when he made eight changes to a winning side ahead of their RaboDirect Pro12 game against Munster at Thomond Park tonight (8pm).

Fri, 07 Sep, 2012

Coughlan predicts big ‘scrap’ at breakdown from Treviso

The relief was palpable, the victory fully deserved and, for James Coughlan, it is time to move on to the next battle.

Wed, 05 Sep, 2012

Treviso secure victory in close contest

Newport Gwent Dragons 32 Benetton Treviso 33

Fri, 13 Apr, 2012

Irish trio bolster Munster ahead of tricky Treviso trip

Munster coach Tony McGahan has chosen what can only be construed as a team hell-bent on winning the first of four important RaboDirect Pro12 games away to Treviso today.

Sat, 18 Feb, 2012

Defeat for Treviso as Leinster stretch lead

Leinster 42 Treviso 8

Thu, 09 Feb, 2012

Munster work hard for win over Treviso

Munster 29 Treviso 11

Sat, 07 Jan, 2012

Munster big guns back in action for Treviso clash

IT’S much change for Munster and minimum alterations for Treviso in advance of tonight’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash at Thomond Park.

Sat, 07 Jan, 2012

McGahan warns Munster to tread carefully

OVER the years, Munster have learned some opponents should be shown more respect than others and Treviso enter that category at Thomond Park tonight in a hugely important RaboDirect Pro12 clash.

Sat, 07 Jan, 2012

McGahan calls in the cavalry for Ospreys clash

MUNSTER will roll out their stars for Saturday’s hugely important clash with table-toppers the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

Thu, 01 Dec, 2011

Once bitten, twice shy as Leinster set record straight

FOR Joe Schmidt, the unhappy memories of defeat to Treviso in September of last year were consigned to oblivion when Leinster hoisted aloft the Heineken Cup.

Mon, 28 Nov, 2011

Much-changed Leinster face tough Treviso test

LEINSTER’S much-vaunted strength in depth served them well earlier this season but it will be put to the test again in their RaboDirect Pro12 clash at the Stadio Comunale do Monigo against Benetton Treviso this afternoon.

Sat, 26 Nov, 2011

Leinster totem Toner taking ever-improving Treviso seriously

EASY to forget now after their blazing finish to the season but there was a point early in the last campaign when Leinster were pinned on the ropes.

Thu, 24 Nov, 2011

Connacht come close in Italy

Benetton Treviso 24 Connacht 17

Sat, 30 Oct, 2010

Willis and Flavin get chance in Treviso clash

CONNACHT have made two changes to their starting XV for their first Magners League foray to Italy where they face Benetton Treviso this evening (6.05pm, Irish time).

Sat, 30 Oct, 2010

Italian job proves a soft touch for Munster

A half empty stadium didn’t help create the perfect atmosphere for this Magners League clash with weakened Benetton Treviso last night, but Munster made the best of it and the Thomond Park faithful responded positively to an effort that could best be described as solid and workmanlike.

Sat, 23 Oct, 2010

O’Gara takes captain’s armband

RONAN O’GARA takes the captain’s armband for tonight’s Magners League clash with Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park (7.45), taking over from Denis Leamy, who gets a break after playing six of seven games for Munster this season.

Fri, 22 Oct, 2010

Treviso to field weakened side against Munster

Benetton Treviso coach Franco Smith has made a host of changes for their Magner’s League tie against Munster at Thomond Park on Friday night.

Thu, 21 Oct, 2010

Warning bells sound for Munster

A MONTH ago, Munster travelled to Perpignan with many astute judges predicting the game would represent the end of an era.

Sat, 16 Jan, 2010

Front row pair take another back seat

MARCUS HORAN and Jerry Flannery will again be absentees when Munster take on Treviso in the Heineken Cup at Stadio Comunale Di Monigo on Saturday.

Thu, 14 Jan, 2010

McGahan on guard as Treviso ‘gunning’ for Munster

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan has warned Benetton Treviso will be ‘gunning’ to down the Irish province in Saturday’s crucial Heineken Cup Pool One game in Italy.

Tue, 12 Jan, 2010

Munster must find momentum

MUNSTER’S error-ridden performances against Leinster and Northampton over the last couple of weeks and Benetton Treviso’s sensational victory over French champions Perpignan mean there should be little danger of complacency in the home camp ahead of this afternoon’s Heineken Cup clash at Thomond Park.

Sat, 17 Oct, 2009

Munster’s new partnership the centre of attention for McGahan

THE one obvious decision facing Munster coach Tony McGahan as he ponders his team for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Italian side Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park is whether to continue with the midfield axis of New Zealander Lifeimi Mafi and South African Jean De Villiers.

Wed, 14 Oct, 2009